Hardtop or mohair roof?

[Merlot]

I've owned a '5 for two years now. However, I've taken it off the road both winters due to my hatred for driving the car with the roof up.

My biggest problem is that with the soft top up, the car is transformed instantly from a fun sounding roadster, into a cramped car with a whining engine/transmission and it suddenly becomes much less fun to drive.

I can live with the cramped part (I like it in a way), but I hate the sound of the engine/transmission/exhaust with the soft top up.

My roof is a cheapo vinyl affair with plastic window.

Would the addition of a hardtop, or even a proper quality mohair roof with glass window help? I can only have one car now and I'm a bit bored with buying/selling cars just for winter use. The MX5 is such a fun car to drive during the summer months that I really don't want to sell her just because of the few weeks a year when it's raining over the winter.

[snotrag]

I understand where your coming from.

I had a hardtop that I used last winter.

It does make the visibility better to the rear quarters, I'll grant it that.
However, although it made it a little 'warmer' and nicer feeling inside, i dont think it particularly makes a big differenceto the noise levels. I think the nosie you hear is, as you say, coming up from under the car, gearbox, engine etc. Also - the glass seals on the hardtop are the same as the glass seals on a soft-top - IE not very sealed at all - and this is where a lot of wind noise comes from.

Personally, I would rather a have a good quality hood (hence guaranteed watertight) with a heated glass rear window. That is my plan for this year.

[Scubasteve800]

Have you checked the gear shift boots under the centre console? It might be worth checking first as after i changed mine the interior noise was alot quieter.

[tuttle]

Just to throw in my 2 cents.
Have had my 5 for just over a year now. Dropping the hood is so quick & easy so I spent almost every opportunity to drop the hood & even got quite unhappy when it was up.

In Jan I moved house & needed to become more security conscious & so got my mitts on a used hardtop.

Things I like about the HT are: I think it looks good, much better visibility, slightly quieter for Mway trips, appears to enhance ridgidity a little (could be my imagination though).

Things I don't like about the HT: Wind noise is just as bad as a soft top, Its a bit of a pain to get on & off, decent storage is also an issue I haven't cracked yet. My biggest gripe, above all a HT negates the chance to just drop the roof in a few secs at any given opportunity. Which is why I bought & love about the 5 in the 1st place.

IMHO, unless security is an issue go for a decent softy & enjoy the instant gratification of being able to get your top off

Edited by tuttle on Tuesday 16th March 09:40

[Sarah M]

You also need the room to store it in the summer.

I agree the whole point of the 5 to me is to be able to drop the roof at anytime, although I am not as brave as some I do enjoy a little blast with the roof down in the freezing cold!

[maz8062]

Hardtop over the expense of the Mohair IMO.

Hardtop makes the car look better, is more rigid, secure and is better for visibility. Mohair is just for looks.

Your cash, your decision

[snotrag]

Gotta agree with tuttle.

I sold my hardtop for the reason he points out. Occasionally, despite it being cold, or wintery - you would find yourslef on the right road, blue skies, and... Damm. Cant put the roof down. Misses the point of the car IMO.